В София : Конференция на Председателите на парламентарните Комисии по външна политика на страните-членки на Съвета на Европа

ДЕМОКРАТИЧНА СИГУРНОСТ ОСНОВАНА НА ЕВРОПЕЙСКО ЕДИНСТВО И СЪТРУДНИЧЕСТВО

От сайта на Народното събрание :

http://parliament.bg/bg/calendar/#10295

„Демократична сигурност, основана на европейското единство и сътрудничество” е темата, която ще обсъдят участниците в конференция на председателите на комисиите по външна политика на парламентите на държавите-членки на Съвета на Европа на 9 февруари 2016 г. в София.

Форумът ще бъде открит от председателя на Народното събрание Цецка Цачева и председателя на Парламентарната асамблея на Съвета на Европа Педро Аграмунт в 10.00 часа в зала „Изток” на българския парламент.

В рамките на първата сесия „Свобода и сигурност в Европа: какви са предизвикателствата и дилемите?” изказване пред участниците в конференцията ще направи председателят на Комитета на министрите на Съвета на Европа и министър на външните работи на България Даниел Митов. За „Демократичната сигурност в Европа днес” ще говори заместник-генералният секретар на Съвета на Европа Габриела Батаини-Драгони.

Изказвания ще направят съпредседателят на Световния обществен форум – диалог на цивилизациите и бивш Генерален секретар на Съвета на Европа д-р Валтер Швимер и програмният директор на Европейския съвет за външна политика (ЕСВП) Весела Чернева.

Вицепремиерът и министър на вътрешните работи на България Румяна Бъчварова ще говори по време на втората сесия на конференцията, която е на тема „Миграционната вълна – настоящо предизвикателство за Европа”. Генералният директор на Международен център за развитие на миграционната политика Михаел Шпинделегер ще направи изказване на тема “Справяне с предизвикателствата на миграцията: балансът между вътрешната и външната политика”, а съветникът на министъра на външните работи на България Владимир Шопов ще говори за “Миграция към Европа – дългосрочна перспектива”.

Предвижда се участниците в конференцията да обсъдят декларация на Парламентарната асамблея на Съвета на Европа от София за ценностите и принципите на европейското единство и сътрудничество – необходимостта от свикване на четвъртата среща на високо равнище на Съвета на Европа. Модератор на дискусията ще бъде председателят на Комисията по външна политика на Народното събрание и ръководител на българската делегация в ПАСЕ Джема Грозданова.

Форумът е в рамките българското председателство на Комитета на министрите на Съвета на Европа, което ще продължи до май 2016 г.

Конференцията на председателите на комисиите по външна политика на парламентите на държавите-членки на Съвета на Европа ще бъде излъчвана в реално време на интернет-страницата на Народното събрание.

Democratic Security Based on European Unity and Cooperation

Conference of the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committees

of the Council of Europe Member States

8-10 February 2016, Sofia

Agenda

8^th of February 2016, Monday

Arrival of participants

20:00 Reception Hosted by Ms. Dzhema Grozdanova, Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bulgarian National Assembly and Head of the Bulgarian Delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

9^th of February 2016, Tuesday

09:00 – 10:00 Registration of Participants

10:00 – 10:20 OPENING SESSION

Welcoming Address by Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva - Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly

Address by Mr. Pedro Agramunt - President of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

10:20 – 12:00 FIRST SESSION

Freedom and Security in Europe: What are the Challenges and Dilemmas?

Chaired by Mr. Valeri Rachev - Centre for Security and Defence Management

“Еurope's Immigrant and Refugee Crisis: The Response of Bulgaria”

Mr. Daniel Mitov – Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria

“Democratic Security in Europe Today”

Ms. Gabriella Battaini-Dragoni – Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

“Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue - Tool of Security Policy”

Dr. Walter Schwimmer - Co-Chairman, World Public Forum - Dialogue of Civilizations, Former Secretary General of the Council of Europe

“The Challenge of European Solidarity”

Ms. Vessela Tcherneva,  ECFR  Program Director and Head of  Sofia Office

DISCUSSION

12:00 - 13:30 SECOND SESSION

The Migration Wave – Current Challenge for Europe

Chaired by Mr. Boyko Vassilev - Journalist, Bulgarian National Television

“Migration Issue – the European Reaction”

Ms. Rumiana Bachvarova - Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Minister of Internal Affairs

“Coping with the Migration Challenge: The Balance Between Internal and Foreign Policy”

Mr. Michael Spindelegger - Director General of ICMPD (International Centre for Migration Policy Development), Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Austria

"Migration Towards Europe: Taking the Longer-Term Perspective"

Mr. Vladimir Shopov - Adviser to the Foreign Minister of Bulgaria

DISCUSSION

13:30 – 15:00 Lunch Hosted by Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva - Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly

15: 30 – 17:00 THIRD SESSION

Sofia Declaration of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Values and Principles of European Unity and Cooperation - The Need for Assembling the Fourth Summit of the Council of Europe

Chaired by Ms. Dzhema Grozdanova - Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Bulgarian National Assembly and Head of the Bulgarian Delegation to Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Mr. Pedro Agramunt – President of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Mr. Michelle Nicoletti – Chairman of Socialist Group of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

Mr. Latchezar Toshev – Honorary Associate of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe

CONCLUSIONS

17:00 – 19:00

Cultural Program

20:30 – 22.00

Buffet Dinner Hosted by the Bulgarian Delegation to PACE

10^th of February, Wednesday

Departure of Participants

Democratic Security Based on European Unity and Co-operation

Welcoming Address by Ms. Tsetska Tsacheva

President of the Bulgarian National Assembly

Mr. President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, 

Madam Deputy General Secretary,

Mr. Chairman of the Committee of Ministers,

Honorable Chairpersons of the Foreign Affairs Committees,

Thank you all who are here, concerned about the future of United Europe. 

Our countries today are faced with challenges that only a few years ago seemed unthinkable.

The solutions to the problems we face today can be achieved only by common actions and unified policies.

Bulgaria assumed the Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 10 November 2015. 

We proposed the slogan “Unity makes strength” as a motto of the Bulgarian Chairmanship.

Just in time.

The violations of international law we witnessed in 2014, as well as the huge wave of migrants from Syria and Afghanistan to Europe in the winter season rendered the situation dramatic.

Those challenges are far from having gone in the past.

That is why we rely on the Council of Europe not only as the first pan-European structure, but also as a unique forum for dialogue between the member states of the European Union, and those who do not belong to it.

The concept of Democratic Security, launched by the Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland in the last annual report on the state of democracy in Europe, shows that protecting the security is by no means contrary to the protection of human rights and democracy. 

Quite the opposite. 

Without the protection of society and the established order there can be neither social nor economic security, nor can the rights and freedoms of citizens be defended. 

Emergency measures in a difficult situation are admissible explicitly to protect the core values and the achievements of European Unity.

However, it is obvious that such measures are taken in a particular occurrence, they have a strictly specified scope and duration, and whenever circumstances permit so, they are lifted.

The border is a guarantee of the state’s responsibility to protect citizens' rights. Strengthening our borders is a matter of duty both to our own citizens, as well as to the protection of rights of those who seek refuge in our countries.

Therefore, protecting our borders from illegally crossing migrants does not in any way contradict the principles of democracy and rule of law. 

I would like to emphasize that today some of our frontiers are at the same time external borders of the European Union. 

Therefore, the problem of migrants is not, and cannot be considered a matter of a single country.

I congratulate the Bulgarian delegation for the adopted on November 27 in Sofia Declaration on European unity and cooperation. 

It was submitted with the signatures of leaders of all political groups in the Assembly. 

We count on support for the continuation of this initiative, having led to the idea of convening the Fourth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the member states of the Council of Europe and the newly elected President of PACE Mr. Pedro Agramunt.

We could reach an accord based on the values we share. 

I think that the intercultural and inter-religious dialogue that the Council of Europe promotes in a number of documents would help to discover a model in which to live together in the 21st century while preserving common values and principles of European unity and cooperation.

I believe that this conference will help to reaffirm the European spirit, which brought peace and prosperity to the old continent.

Parliamentary diplomacy is our response to the challenges of the dynamically changing international environment.

Parliamentary diplomacy reflects the political will of all parties represented in Parliament, and for that very reason, increases even more the legitimacy to our agreements.

 That is why, in the sense of Resolution 1773 of PACE it has its place in the European political architecture, and our Parliaments should make use of this opportunity and develop it further.

Let me in my wishes for success of this conference to conclude that the confidence among us makes the synergy possible and the motto that had inspired our ancestors and which we offered to the United Europe is sending the message that "Unity makes strength!"

Свикването на четвърта среща на високо
равнище на Съвета на Европа обсъдиха на
конференция в София
председателите на комисиите по външна 
политика на парламентите на държавите-
членки на организацията

09/02/2016

Необходимостта от свикване на четвърта среща на високо равнище на Съвета на Европа обсъдиха на конференция в София председателите на комисиите по външна политика на парламентите на държавите-членки на Съвета на Европа.

На 9 февруари 2016 г. Народното събрание беше домакин на конференция на тема „Демократична сигурност, основана на европейското единство и сътрудничество”. Форумът беше открит от председателя на Народното събрание Цецка Цачева и председателя на Парламентарната асамблея на Съвета на Европа Педро Аграмунт.

В декларация за ценностите и принципите на европейското единство и сътрудничество, приета на заседанието на Постоянната комисия на Парламентарната асамблея на Съвета на Европа (ПАСЕ) на 27 ноември 2015 г. в София, парламентаристите от държавите-членки на Съвета на Европа призоваха за свикване на четвърта среща на ръководителите на държавите-членки на организацията.
 Предложоението за приемане на декларация беше направено от председателя на Комисията по външна политика на Народното събрание и ръководител на българската делегация в ПАСЕ Джема Грозданова.

Пред участниците във форума Джема Грозданова отбеляза, че подкрепата за четвъртата среща на високо равнище на държавите-членки на Съвета на Европа е добре да дойде първо от парламентаристите, а след това от външните министри, участници в заседанията на Комитета на министрите.

Председателят на ПАСЕ Педро Аграмунт подчерта, че многобройните предизвикателства, пред които е изправена Европа, призовават парламентаристите към общ отговор чрез диалог, доверие и солидарност.

Трябва да потвърдим нашия политически ангажимент към това, което ни обединява, и да актуализираме и допълнително да развием стратегическите насоки за действие на нашата организация, посочи той. Педро Аграмунт добави, че подкрепя предложението за свикване на среща на високо равнище на Съвета на Европа, но решението за провеждането на такъв форум ще бъде взето от Комитета на министрите. Ние сме готови да допринесем за подготовката на това важно събитие, добави той.

Идеята за събирането на държавните глави е отлична, коментира председателят на Групата на социалистите в ПАСЕ Микеле Николети. Този форум е една от възможните инициативи, с която да се опитаме да дадем отговор на предизвикателствата, пред които е изправена Европа днес, допълни той.

Председателят на Комитета на министрите на Съвета на Европа и министър на външните работи на България Даниел Митов посочи пред участниците във форума, че емигрантската и бежанска криза, пред която е изправена Европа, е сред най-големите предизвикателства пред континента от началото на 21 век. Последствията от тази криза са дългосрочни, а ефектите засягат не просто нашите политически системи, но и икономики, общества, култура, а и системи за сигурност, подчерта той и добави, че кризата изисква колективни решения. Даниел Митов отбеляза особената важност и принос на ПАСЕ в търсенето на общи европейски решения и подчерта, че Съветът на Европа има важна роля в търсенето на така важния баланс между защитата и подкрепата на преследваните и сигурността на нашите общества.

„Демократичната сигурност в Европа днес” беше темата на изказването на заместник-генералния секретар на Съвета на Европа Габриела Батаини-Драгони пред участниците в конференцията. Наличието на ефективни и независими съдебни власти, правото на събиране и на свобода на словото, функционирането на демократичните институции, борбата срещу основните заплахи – корупция, терор, финансови престъпления, трафик на хора, киберпрестъпленията и т.н., са основните компоненти на понятието демократична сигурност, отбеляза тя. Заместник-генералният секретар на Съвета на Европа изрази благодарност за открояването и поставянето на дневен ред на тези проблеми по време на българското председателство на Комитета на министрите.

Вицепремиерът и министър на вътрешните работи Румяна Бъчварова отбеляза на форума, че кризата е сложна като конструкция и трябва да бъде решавана на различни нива. Трябва да търсим решения за защита на външните граници на ЕС, за съдбата на тези, които вече са в Европа, за това как ще продължим да живеем с тези хора, без това да предизвиква допълнителни проблеми, каза тя. Представителите на различните етнически, културни и религиозни групи, идващи в Европа, са мини-общества, които носят собствените си проблеми, заяви Румяна Бъчварова и уточни, че в последните шест месеца структурата на мигрантските вълни, които преминават през България, се е променила съществено. Сега основната част от тях са идващите от Ирак - 52 процента, Афганистан - 30 процента, и едва 15 процента - от Сирия.

На форума изказвания направиха Съпредседателят на Световния обществен форум – диалог на цивилизациите и бивш Генерален секретар на Съвета на Европа д-р Валтер Швимер, генералният директор на Международен център за развитие на миграционната политика Михаел Шпинделегер, съветникът на министъра на външните работи на България Владимир Шопов и програмният директор на Европейския съвет за външна политика (ЕСВП) Весела Чернева.

Форумът е в рамките българското председателство на Комитета на министрите на Съвета на Европа, което ще продължи до май 2016 г.

 София, 9 февруари /Екатерина Панова, БТА/

Демократична сигурност, основана на европейското единство и сътрудничество, обсъждат участниците в конференция на председателите на комисиите по външна политика на парламентите на държавите-членки на Съвета на Европа.

Домакин на форума е Народното събрание.

Решенията на проблемите могат да бъдат постигнати само с общи действия и единна политика, заяви при откриването на форума председателят на парламента Цецка Цачева.

По думите й извънредните мерки в една тежка ситуация са допустими именно за да се защитят основните ценности на европейското единство. Защитата на нашите границите от незаконно преминаващи мигранти не противоречи на принципите на демокрацията и върховенството на закона, отбеляза тя. По думите й проблемът с мигрантите не може да е въпрос само на една отделна държава.

Парламентарната дипломация е нашият отговор на предизвикателства за динамично променящия се ден и международната среда, в която живеем, отбеляза Цачева.

Историята ни научи, че зрелите демокрации не водят война помежду си, заяви Педро Аграмунт - председател на Парламентарната асамблея на Съвета на Европа.

70 години след края на Втората световна война и 25 години след падането на Берлинската стена Европа все още не е в мир, посочи той. Процесът на помирение и паневропейско обединение започна през 1989 г., но през последните години се появиха пукнатини, има замразени или тлеещи конфликти, особено на източните ни граници, които са истинска заплаха за стабилността на Европа, отбеляза Аграмунт.

По думите му има много предизвикателства, които подкопават европейските ценности. Част от заплахите според него са международният тероризъм, бежанската криза, надигащ се национализъм. По думите му тези заплахи взаимно си наливат масло в огъня.

Според него никоя държава не може да намери сама ефективен отговор на това. Силно вярвам, че Съветът на Европа притежава необходимата сила, капацитет и инструменти да се справи с тези предизвикателства, отбеляза той. Нашата сила е нашето единство, каза още Аграмунт.

Европейските граждани изискват от нас да си върнем контрола върху събитията и да не оставяме външната среда да ни моделира, заяви министърът на външните работи Даниел Митов.

По думите му емигрантската криза най-точно илюстрира необходимостта от общи европейски решения. Според него са нужни цялостни, дългосрочни решения на кризата, а не само краткосрочно омекотяване на нейните ефекти. Възстановяване на Сирия е не по-малко важно от усилията за спиране на бойните действия, каза той и допълни, че през 2016 г.

България ще отдели 400 000 евро чрез различни програми в подкрепа на Сирия. Митов припомни, че България е сред страните, които настояват за създаване на обща европейска гранична полиция. Трябва да можем да връщаме тези, които нямат основание да пребивават в Европа, посочи той.
Според министъра на вътрешните работи Румяна Бъчварова кризата е сложна като конструкция и трябва да бъде решавана на различни нива.

Трябва да търсим решения за защита на външните граници на ЕС, за съдбата на тези, които вече са в Европа, за това как ще продължим да живеем с тези хора, без това да предизвиква допълнителни проблеми, каза министърът.

 Представителите на различните етнически, културни и религиозни групи, идващи в Европа, са мини общества, които носят собствените си проблеми, заяви Бъчварова.

 Тя отбеляза, че в последните шест месеца структурата на мигрантските вълни, които преминават през България, се е променила съществено. Сега основната част от тях са идващите от Ирак - 52 процента, Афганистан - 30 процента, и едва 15 процента от Сирия.

Председателят на Комитета на Министрите - г-н Даниел Митов :

Ваши Превъзходителства,

Уважаеми дами и господи,

Изключително се радвам да Ви приветствам с „добре дошли“ в София. 

България е страна, която дълбоко цени идеите и приноса на Съвета на Европа. Тази организация има специално място в най-модерната история на моята страна. След падането на „Берлинската стена“ и в началото на прехода към демокрация усилията ни за възстановяване и институционализиране на човешките права получиха активната подкрепа на нейните членове и експерти. 

Заедно с тях ние извървяхме първите стъпки по възстановяването на достойнството и правата на българските граждани, по създаването на реални правни механизми за тяхната защита. В този смисъл Съвета на Европа ще остане завинаги в историята на демократизацията на Р България в най-ново време.

Отдавна няма необходимост от дълги описания и аргументации относно мащаба и последиците на имигрантската и бежанска криза, пред която е изправена Европа от няколко години. 

Ясно е, че тя е сред най-големите предизвикателства пред нашия континент от началото на 21-и век, последствията й са дългосрочни, а ефектите засягат не просто нашите политически системи, но и икономики, общества, култура. 

Проблемите предизвикват реакции не просто сред политическите елити, но и сред гражданите. Свидетели сме на събития, които не просто поставят на изпитание десетилетни нагласи и политики, но засягат цялостното бъдещо развитие на Европа. Това определя и нашата голяма отговорност!

Позицията на Р България е ясна и има няколко елемента. Най-общо, на политическо ниво, ние сме на мнение, че кризата изисква колективни решения! Най-амбициозно в рамките на ЕС, но и в по-широк контекст. Тук ПАСЕ също има своя важен принос. 

 От решаващо значение е сътрудничеството ни със съседни държави като Турция и с останалите страни, които продължават да приемат милиони преследвани. Нужни са ни и цялостни решения! 

Такива, които адресират всички аспекти на тази криза, а не просто краткосрочно омекотяват нейните ефекти. Нещо повече, ние сме убедени в нуждата от дългосрочен ангажимент на всички заинтересовани държави! 

Не се намираме в ситуация, в която бързите и лесни решения ще донесат стабилност и сигурност. Европа не може да си позволи това да бъде криза, която приключва преди да са намерени устойчиви, дългосрочни, работещи решения. Необходим е и ангажимент и подкрепа за разрешаване на причините за тези мащабни размествания на хора! 

Това означава не просто политическо стабилизиране на държави като Сирия, Ирак или Либия, но и програми за създаване на работещи икономики, стабилни институции, социални перспективи. 

Например, възстановяването на Сирия, което се надяваме да стартира, колкото се може по-скоро, е не по-малко важно от усилията за спиране на бойните действия. Водено от това разбиране, през 2016 година българското правителство ще отдели 400 000 евро чрез различни програми и инструменти за подкрепа на Сирия.

На ниво политики също имаме добре известни и ясни позиции. Необходима е ускорена, по-нататъшна европеизация на различни секторни политики, които имат отношение към кризата. Това се отнася до миграцията, предоставянето на убежище или пък граничното управление. 

Например, ние сме сред държавите, които от доста време настояват за създаване на общо-европейска гранична полиция. Очевидно е, че мащаба на предизвикателствата изисква подобно институционално развитие. В този смисъл трансформацията на „Фронтекс“ е нещо, което ние приветстваме.

 Стриктното прилагане на инструментите на реадмисията е също ключово за ефективното управление на кризата. От особена важност е и развитието на политиката на връщане.  

Ако искаме да сме в състояние да помагаме на хората, които имат остра и непосредствена нужда от защита трябва да можем да връщаме тези, които нямат основание да пребивават в Европа! 

И тук трябва да предприемем стъпки към надграждане на сегашната система. Но нека да кажа нещо отвъд конкретните секторни политики. Убеден съм, че устойчивото справяне с настоящата криза изисква цялостен преглед на отделните политики, внимателен анализ на техните връзки, тяхното финансиране. 

От тази гледна точка, имаме нужда не просто от реактивен подход на кризисно управление, а проактивно моделиране на цял комплекс от политики, институции и отношения.

Уважаеми Дами и Господа,

Както знаете България е председател на Комитета на Министрите и аз вече имах няколко възможности да говоря в това качество. Днес няма да се спирам подробно на нашите приоритети, но нека още веднъж отбележа особената важност и принос на Парламентарната Асамблея на Съвета на Европа. 

Всъщност имигрантската криза най-точно илюстрира необходимостта от общо европейски решения, а Съветът на Европа има историческата мисия да бъде сред най-важните форуми, където това може да се случва. Специалният принос на организацията е видим и в търсенето на така важния баланс между защитата и подкрепата на преследваните и сигурността на нашите общества! 

Уверен съм, че това призвание на Съвета на Европа ще улесни намирането на тези устойчиви решения, които вече споделих пред вас. В малко по-конкретен план, България неотложно изпълнява своите международно-правни ангажименти по отношение на хората, търсещи убежище. Правим максималното и по отношение на необходимия инфраструктурен капацитет. 

Чрез специална национална стратегия отделяме особено внимание на интеграцията на хората, които остават в страната. 

Продължаваме и традиционния за България подход на толерантност и нетърпимост към ксенофобия. Особено внимание отделяме на уязвимите сред нуждаещите се от подкрепа и убежище, малките деца и жените.

Случващото се носи съществени рискове и за страните в Юго-Източна Европа. За нас е особено важно сегашните предизвикателства да не доведат до дългосрочна дестабилизация, която да попречи на усилията им да се приближат до членство в ЕС. 

Всички ние добре познаваме трудностите на дълбоките промени, които следва да бъдат осъществени, за да стане това членство реалност. Нещо повече, в сегашната ситуация едва ли са много хората, които са на мнение, че регионалния подход и солидарност имат алтернатива. 

По тази причина България още от самото начало на кризата полага необходимите усилия за по-интензивна координация, обмен на информация, постигане на общи позиции, институционална подкрепа.

Само преди дни, в качеството ни на председател на Процеса за сътрудничество в Юго-Източна Европа, организирахме среща на външните министри и приехме Обща Декларация по въпросите на миграцията. 

В нея държавите от региона отново препотвърдиха необходимостта от цялостен подход за справяне със сегашните предизвикателства и се ангажираха не просто да продължат да работят заедно, но и да търсят усилено допълнителни форми на сътрудничество.

Поставихме специален акцент върху нуждата от траен ангажимент, политическо внимание и ресурси за справяне с причините за сегашната вълна от имигранти и бежанци. 

Става въпрос за дългосрочен подход, защото не можем да си позволим да търсим временни решения!

 България ще продължи да бъде сред страните, които най-настоятелно подкрепят европейския, но и регионалния подход в тази изключително сложна ситуация.

Благодаря за Вашето внимание!

 
От сайта на ПАСЕ:

PACE President calls for unity around the principles of democratic security

http://www.assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/News/News-View-EN.asp?newsid=6023&lang=2&cat=15

• 09/02/2016
• President

Speaking to a Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Foreign Affairs of National Parliaments in Sofia today, PACE President Pedro Agramunt has called for “unity in the face of the many challenges we are confronted with”.

“The process of reconciliation and pan-European unification started in 1989, but cracks have appeared in the last few years. ‘Frozen’ and ‘burning’ conflicts, especially on our eastern borders, represent a real threat to Europe’s unity and stability,” said the President.

“History has taught us that mature democracies do not wage war with each other. The key word is ‘mature’. But by moving too quickly to create democracies without doing the hard work to create institutions to protect the rights of minority groups, it will be more likely that the most ruthless thugs seize power in the territories concerned,” he stressed.

“International terrorism, the refugee crisis, the wave of left and right-wing populism, rising nationalism and the erosion of democratic principles and human rights – all these challenges and threats interact, fuelling and exacerbating each other. They have a global dimension and affect all of us. No country can respond effectively alone.”

Reiterating the Assembly’s support for the idea of a fourth Council of Europe Summit, the President stressed the need “to reaffirm our political commitment to what unites us – the principles of democratic security – as well as to update, and further develop, strategic lines of action for our Organisation and our member States, in order to pursue and deepen the process of European co-operation”.

“Our strength is our unity around our values and it is very symbolic that the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers has chosen this idea as a motto for its activities,” he concluded.

Speech :

Opening statement at the Conference of chairpersons of committees of foreign affairs of national parliaments

(anglais uniquement)

Sofia, mardi, 9 février 2016

Honourable Speaker of Parliament,

Minister,

Deputy Secretary General,

Distinguished colleagues and guests,

Allow me to thank our Bulgarian colleagues for organising this Conference, for their warm welcome and hospitality.

It gives me a special honour and pleasure to be here with you today because this is my first major international activity as President of the Assembly and I am delighted with the possibility to visit Sofia, the capital of the country that currently chairs the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If I were to define the mission statement of the Council of Europe, I would probably not be able to come with a better proposal: "Building democratic security based on European unity and co-operation".

Indeed, sixty-seven years ago, the founding fathers of the Council of Europe assigned an important mission to our Organisation: achieving a greater unity between European states for the purpose of safeguarding and realising the ideals and principles of individual freedom, political freedom and the rule of law, which are their common heritage and on which true democracies are found.

During the sixty-seven years of our history, we have managed to build a common Pan-European legal space based on the principles of human rights, rule of law and democracy covering the whole European continent.

As pioneers of European unity, we pursued our mission after the fall of the Berlin Wall, opening up our doors towards the East in order to help new democracies rebuild strong institutions respecting human rights and complying with the rule of law. This was the starting point of a process of building a Europe without dividing lines. 

History has taught us that mature democracies do not wage war with each other. The key word is mature.

But by moving too quickly to create democracies without doing the hard work to create institutions to protect the rights of minority groups – work that can literally take generations – it will be more likely that the most ruthless thugs seize power in the territories concerned.

Our achievements are recognised Europe-wide and reflected in a number of our own texts. In this context, let me refer to the 2009 report by one of my predecessors – Jean-Claude Mignon – on "the future of the Council of Europe in the light of its 60 years of experience".

The conclusions of this report are clearly relevant today: our achievements are great, but so are the challenges we are facing. Our mission is far from being complete.

Seventy years after the end of World War II, 40 years after the Helsinki Final Act and 25 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Europe is still not at peace within itself.

The process of reconciliation and Pan-European unification started in 1989, but cracks have appeared in the last few years. "Frozen" and "burning" conflicts, especially on our Eastern borders, represent a real threat to Europe's unity and stability.

To this, we must add the many challenges that undermine our fundamental values - democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

There are numerous issues, but I would like to highlight three which I believe have to be addressed as a matter of utmost priority.

First, international terrorism constitutes a fundamental, multi-faceted danger.

In our times, both state and non-state enemies will seek more asymmetric ways to challenge our countries and our allies. When they fight us conventionally, they are defeated in days or weeks. However, when they fight unconventionally, by employing terrorism or guerrilla tactics, our traditional response mechanisms may not be that effective and our societies and institutions have to adapt to better defend themselves.

Second, the refugee crisis, which has triggered much debate about European identity and values.

Third, the wave of left and right-wing populism, rising nationalism and the erosion of democratic principles and human rights affect our cohesion and our capacity for joint action.

These challenges and threats interact, fuelling and exacerbating each other. They have a global dimension and affect all of us. No country alone can find an effective response.

Dear colleagues,

It is my strong belief that the Council of Europe has the necessary strength, capacity and tools to address these challenges.

Our strength – is our unity around our values and it is very symbolic that the Bulgarian Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers has chosen this idea as a motto for its activities.

What unites us are the values, principles and ideals that form our common heritage – democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

These values and principles are the cornerstones in the foundations of a Europe without dividing lines.

A Europe based on the understanding that we have common interests which are stronger than divisions and that we have to pool our efforts together in order to be a solid and successful global player.

A Europe of states with

• solid democratic institutions built on the principle of political pluralism and checks and balances;
• independent judiciary that guarantees the respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms  and of the rule of law;
• free and vibrant civil society and media immune from outside interference.
  

A Europe based on mutual respect and dialogue.

A Europe of democratic security and co-operation.

Ladies and gentlemen

Our today's conference is an opportunity to reaffirm our political commitment to building democratic security in Europe as well as to discuss action – by the Council of Europe and our Member states – in the face of the challenges we are facing.

We are democratic and open societies and we have to be aware of the threats to our security, stability and institutions. Therefore, we have to find means to protect ourselves.

We must not forget that we have to be militant democracies and we have the legal basis for that.

The Council of Europe standards – our conventions and the so-called "soft law" instruments – as well as the numerous reports and Resolutions by the Parliamentary Assembly on the various aspects of democratic security will – I am sure – provide a lot of food for thought for our discussion and we are looking forward to listening to the presentation by the Deputy Secretary General in order to put things in a broader context.

Allow me also to remind you of the Conclusions of the European Conference of Speakers of Parliament, held in September 2014 in Oslo, which reaffirmed – at the highest political level – the commitment of Europe's Parliaments to focus on what unites us: the values of human rights, democracy and the rule of law enshrined first and foremost in the European Convention on Human Rights whose 65^th anniversary we celebrated last year.

On 15-16 September 2016, the Speakers of Europe's Parliaments will meet again in Strasbourg and I am confident that our debates today will provide a lot of interesting background ideas for their discussions.

Finally, I cannot but welcome the idea of our Bulgarian colleagues to follow up within the framework of this conference on the idea of organising a new Council of Europe Summit. You will remember that the Assembly launched this idea in 2009, in the report on the future of the Council of Europe which I referred to in the beginning of my presentation.

The Secretary General of the Council of Europe called, in the 2014 report on the State of Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Europe, for a Council of Europe Summit devoted to Democratic Security. The Assembly backed this idea in the Sofia Declaration adopted by our Standing Committee in November last year and our Political Affairs Committee has been seized to prepare a report on this issue, so as to make a substantive contribution to the preparations of the Summit.

Therefore, our today's discussion will help us move one step further towards the concretisation of this idea.

Thank you very much for your attention.

От сайта на Съвета на Европа :

Democratic Security in today’s Europe: Deputy Secretary General speaks in Sofia

“In Europe today, the threats to our stability no longer come predominantly from the outside. Many come from within our own political systems and our own societies. Corruption. Loss of trust in state bodies.

The segregation of minorities. Fear of diversity. From a security perspective, this internalising of threats is perhaps the biggest shift of our time” highlighted Gabriella Battaini Dragoni, while addressing the Conference of Chairpersons of Committees of Foreign Affairs of National Parliaments in Sofia.

Deputy Secretary General emphasised the relevance of Democratic Security for the Council of Europe, underlining three key ways at the top of the agenda:

1. Promoting and defending international standards which all European states have signed up;
2. Identifying trends which threaten Democratic Security across the Continent;
3. Building inclusive societies.
   

Speech :

Conference of the Chairpersons of Parliamentary Committees on Foreign Affairs of the Council of Europe Member States

Sofia,  9 February 2016,
As delivered

What is Democratic Security?

Victor Hugo once remarked that you can resist an invading army, but you cannot resist an idea whose time has come. “Democratic security” is one such idea.

The core premise is that countries which adhere to democratic principles, rule of law and human rights are less likely to go to war with each other, or to experience violent internal strife.

The concept is not new. Many attribute its origins to the German philosopher Immanuel Kant who argued, in his Essay on Perpetual Peace, published in 1795, that armed conflict would becoming increasingly rare wherever it required citizens’ consent.

150 years later, following the Second World War, the concept was enshrined in the Statutes of the Council of Europe, and immediately afterwards, in the European Convention on Human Rights: a ground-breaking treaty which gave legal protection to the fundamental rights and freedoms of all people on the European soil, in order to help prevent the return of fascism.

Since then, the Convention has been integral to a number of international peace agreements including the 1995 Dayton Peace Accord, the 1998 Good Friday Agreement and the 2007 Ahtisaari Plan for Kosovo*.

The concept of democratic security, which has been at the centre of the deliberations of the Heads of States and Government at three consecutive Council of Europe Summits – in 1993, 1997 and 2005 - has been translated into operational practice and tools.

What the drafters of all these texts understood is that promoting and protecting universal human rights, ensuring through the rule of law the security for our citizens in the full respect of fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as checks on unrestrained state power are essential in keeping peace and stability, in preventing conflicts and in facilitating economic and social progress.

For the purpose of our work today, I would like to refer to the first and second reports of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe.

In those reports, the concept of democratic security is broken down into several pillars, or building blocks. Let me mention just a few :

• the existence of efficient and independent judiciaries;
• the right to freedom of assembly, of association and of expression;
• the functioning of democratic institutions;
• the fight against major threats to democratic societies: terrorism, corruption, organised crime, financial crime,        trafficking in human beings, cybercrime …   
• and the development of inclusive democracies.
  

The components are interlinked. Together, they foster trust between citizens and their political institutions; promote tolerance between different groups; allow a society to settle its disputes peacefully; and they allow for a dynamic exchange of ideas, so that our societies do not stagnate.

Am I saying that hard conceptions of security are redundant?
Of course not. “Hard security” continues to be vital – based on traditional models of deterrence and military capacity. But alone it will no longer guarantee stability.

Anyone searching for proof of the umbilical link between democracy and security need only look across Europe today.

Democratic security in today’s Europe

Let me give you some very current examples.
Take the surge in violent extremism. In Europe terrorists now attack us with devastating success – by using our own citizens, from our own cities. Terror is increasingly “home grown”.

Consider, also, the atmosphere of hate and intolerance that has swept across many of our communities. In its most recent study, the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) found a dramatic increase in anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and online hate speech across the continent.

Both are the consequence of fragmentation in our societies, and the reasons are complex: globalisation; Syria’s civil war and what it means for radicalisation; prolonged austerity, widening inequality, poorly managed diversity, and so on.
But the fact remains that division flourishes most where democratic life is undernourished.  Where shared, civic values are weak or missing. Where certain groups are alienated and marginalised, and mistrust, therefore, is rife.

The refugee crisis is further proof of the need for democratic security. In many of the European cities absorbing high numbers of newcomers, the mood is increasingly tense. How will we avoid more of the violence and vigilantism that we witnessed in Stockholm last week, when a mob of masked men took to the streets, beating up immigrants and handing out leaflets threatening further attacks? In the long term, only through policies of inclusion and integration in order to overcome resentment and mistrust.

A third example: Ukraine. The Council of Europe’s position is very clear: Russia’s annexation of Crimea is illegal, and it was deeply destabilising. But this should not prevent us from seeing that Ukraine’s troubles began with widespread disillusionment with its institutions.

And lasting stability will only be possible if Kyiv can deliver a renewed political settlement, based on an inclusive constitution, stronger human rights protections and the decentralisation of power. We continue to work closely with the Government in pursuit of these aims.

We see parallels in the Republic of Moldova, too. Many Moldovans are protesting against the “Billion dollar bank Fraud” in which very large sums of money mysteriously disappeared from three of the country’s banks, epitomising the systemic corruption which has kept the nation weak and its people poor. Enough was enough, and public unrest ensued.

Now, without far-reaching reform to remove power from the hands of oligarchs, and to rid the courts of political interference, further upheaval will be extremely difficult to avoid.

What these different examples show us is that, in Europe today, the threats to our stability no longer come predominantly from the outside. Many come from within our own political systems and our own societies. Corruption.

Loss of trust in state bodies. The segregation of minorities. Fear of diversity. From a security perspective, this internalising of threats is perhaps the biggest shift of our time.

The Council of Europe

And so the need for a strong democratic governance by states, inclusive societies and the rule of law could not be more stark.

For this reason our Secretary General, Thorbjørn Jagland, has reasserted democratic security as the overriding objective of the Council of Europe.

We are the only intergovernmental organisation to sweep the length of the European continent, encompassing 47 European states.

Created after the Second World War, we are the guardian of the European Convention on Human Rights and the European Social Charter, and home to the European Court of Human Rights.

We work to keep Democratic Security at the top of the agenda in three key ways.
First, we promote and defend the international standards which all European states have signed up to.
Second, we need to identify the trends which threaten democratic security across the continent.
Third, we need to build inclusive societies.

On my first point, to defend international standards:


You know from your own work that, in moments of pressure, and when nationalist forces are on the rise, governments may be tempted to act unilaterally, in ways which risk departing from our shared values.
We see this in response to the changing terror threat.

Our job is to remind our members that actions which undermine human rights and the rule of law make us weaker, not stronger – because they play directly into the hands of the terrorists who wish to discredit our democracies – as we saw in the aftermath of September 11th, when grave human rights abuses were committed in the hunt for Al Qaeda.

So the Council has been spearheading initiatives that will empower states to go after and fight terrorists, but doing so together, and without undermining fundamental freedoms.

None more so than our ground-breaking treaty to clamp down on foreign terrorist fighters, which criminalises early preparations for acts of terror for the first time in international law.
Responding to the refugee crisis, too, it is essential that states hold firm to international standards.

For this reason we compiled and distributed the fundamental obligations governments have to anyone stepping foot in Europe – so that there can be no doubt. As you know, new legislation to reform asylum systems is now coming thick and fast from European governments – for example on new powers for police to confiscate refugees’ assets at the border, and longer waiting times before refugees can be reunited with their families.

We are watching these developments very carefully to ensure that any such legislative developments accord with the Convention and the case law of the Strasbourg Court. The Secretary General has appointed a new Special Representative on Migration precisely to help states ensure that political reactions today do not create judicial headaches tomorrow.

On my second point, to identify the trends which threaten democratic security across the continent :  

These are the recurring issues which are not confined to a small minority of countries, but which appear in democracies old and young – and are therefore pressing problems, which require a collective response.
In the Secretary General’s report last year, two stood out. The first is widespread weaknesses in Europe’s judiciaries.

Clearly within Europe there are states which boast some of the world’s most respected court systems. However serious problems can also be detected in over a third of member states. In many cases, only poor safeguards exist against corruption and public trust in the system is therefore low.

The second trend is worsening conditions for free media. Nearly half of European states are now failing to guarantee the safety of journalists and, more and more, we see disproportionate tactics employed to suppress dissent. Even in states which boast generally plural media environments, there are problems with monopolies and an unhealthy relationship between media and political elites.

While these trends are different, the consequences are the same: if judges and journalists can’t do their job, who is holding the powerful to account?
So the Council of Europe has ramped up our activity on both fronts. We are, for example, expediting a pan-European Action Plan to improve the independence of their judiciaries. I also encourage you to look at our Platform for the Protection of Journalists, which exists thanks to the strong impulse of the Parliamentary Assembly.
No other tool like it exists: it is an online portal where journalists can sound the alarm, and, crucially, the governments in question are expected to respond.

On my third point: the need to make our democracies inclusive:

‘Living together as equal in dignity’ has long been one of our mantras, and policies to facilitate it are more important than ever. Our work on social rights is hugely important here, as well as our paradigm shift on diversity, as we call it the “diversity advantage” (diversity is not a threat, but as an opportunity o be democratically managed).

And, as we all know, education is key. One of our flagship initiatives for 2016 will be a set of new competences to help teach young people across Europe how to live as democratic citizens: able to respect core, shared values on the one hand, and different cultures and beliefs on the other.

These initiatives will, I hope, continue to be met with enthusiasm from our member states – and of course our Bulgarian Chairs, who I would like to thank for giving Democratic security the spotlight today.

It is, as I said, an idea whose time has come. You as parliamentarians have a unique opportunity to ensure that, whenever there are debates about security, democracy is in the front of our minds.

With your outward looking perspective, you also understand that we have a shared responsibility to deliver democratic security. This is what the Heads of State and Government of the first Council of Europe Summit, in Vienna in 1993, expected from you when they declared:

“We are resolved to make full use of the political forum provided by our Committee of Ministers and Parliamentary Assembly to promote, in accordance with the competences and vocation of the Organisation, the strengthening of democratic security in Europe.”

This is why I very much welcome the opportunity to join you here in Sofia to discuss how we can continue building a peaceful, stable and inclusive Europe on the foundations of liberty and law.

* All references to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.\



 

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INTERVENTION BY 

Dr. WALTER SCHWIMMER

FORMER SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE

CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE WORLD PUBLIC FORUM – DIALOGUE OF CIVILIZATIONS

 

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Mr. Chairman, Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Immediately after the horrendous terrorist attacks of 9/11 I initiated as Secretary General of the Council of Europe in remembrance of the victims a special service which took place in Strasbourg Cathedral. It was a moving service, jointly celebrated by the representatives of the main Christian churches, and also addressed by leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities of Strasbourg. This was a most impressive demonstration of unity against those who by committing these crimes not only sought to kill but also wished to shatter our confidence in our values. It demonstrated also the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect which we need when we are faced with nearly the same challenges.

Europe and its neighbours face of course similar challenges in this fast globalising world and we need to prepare our societies to deal with them. The right answers are essential. The challenges to our future – global terrorism tries to hi-jack religion ,

the poverty gap is growing, financial mismanagement in one country has suddenly global impacts, the threats to environment and climate and not to forget migration flows that get out of control – require a collective regional, international and global response. Facing these challenges, if we take our responsibility seriously, leaves no space for what was called by an American author “the clash of civilisations”. On the contrary, civilisations are jointly challenged. Terrorism is not the result of one civilisation opposing or attacking another one, no, it is an attack on all civilisations. The problem of poverty is not only a problem of poor regions or countries, no it’s a problem of the prosperous countries too and keeping the economy moving concerns not only the developed countries. The threats to climate and our natural resources are threats to the future of all of us. And migration flows need joint action of the countries of origin, transit and destination in a spirit that goes beyond the mentality of a besieged fortress. This all needs global thinking and global solidarity.

Yes, we are still sometimes divided on the responses to common challenges. The refugee wave to Europe does not only create mercy and compassion but also selfishness, stereotypes and prejudices. Some of us are tempted to find convenient enemies, thereby feeding all sorts of phobias and hatred. But we should not be distracted from the pressing challenges of ensuring peace, sustainable development, human dignity and democracy, because they are the keys to any effective answer. We need each other and probably more so than ever in these difficult times since “9-11” which seem to culminate in terror attacks from Djakarta to Sinai, from Istanbul to Paris.

Therefore I am grateful to the organisers for having invited me and for giving me the opportunity to speak on “Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue - Tool of Security Policy”. This topic is very close to my heart since my days as Secretary General of the Council of Europe and now particular in my capacity as Co-Chairman of the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations, an international NGO dedicated to the promotion of mutual understanding and respect, to dialogue as a tool of security, conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

Terrorist acts violate our most fundamental rights, just as they offend our deepest religious beliefs. They must be condemned and repressed with utmost vigour. But we also have to ensure that our response to terrorism upholds our values. There is the need to avoid undermining or even destroying our values on the grounds of defending them.

I am very proud that in that spirit the Council of Europe issued on my initiative “Guidelines on human rights and the fight against terrorism”. While stressing States’ duty to protect citizens from terrorist assaults on democracy and human rights, they recall that certain rights may not be derogated from under any circumstances. They further call for reasonable and proportionate measures. These guidelines are more topical than ever and they are still unique until today.

It is further important for states to refrain from actions which are likely to further fuel terrorism, such as using quasi-terrorist means or closing all avenues for negotiations. In my view it would also be wrong to fall into the trap of terrorists by declaring war on them. First of all, terrorists and their illegal entities are never on equal footing with democratic states. Declaring war on them is to some extent an official recognition of their illegal and criminal entity. Secondly, the terminology of war helps the terrorists who are in need of an enemy to finding legitimization. “They are declaring war on us, therefore you have to join our forces in this Holy War”. We should refrain for giving them this argument for their satanic propaganda.

And it is essential that the root causes of terrorism be addressed. In this respect, I started in the Council of Europe an ambitious programme for intercultural and interreligious dialogue and I still do not get tired to appeal to invest in education, confidence-building, action against social exclusion, integration of migrants, etc., and also and in particular to fight stereotypes, all kind of xenophobia, anti-Semitism as well as Islamophobia, intolerance and discrimination. And I have been convinced, that Europe cannot do this alone and on its own only. I was the first Secretary General of the Council of Europe, today a 47 member states organisation, to attend and to address the Summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, I invited the then Secretary General of the Arab League, my friend Amr Mussa, to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe

and we started cooperation with ISESCO, an organisation which builds like the Council of Europe so much on education, science and culture. Now I have joined the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations which is globally promoting inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue through mutual respect. Education and work with young people is also high on the agenda of this organisation.

Looking to our common challenges and also opportunities it is my deep conviction that we have much more in common than many people in our countries think. Unfortunately people too often look first at differences and what may divide us than to what may unite us.

Diversity within and between our societies should be seen as an asset, not as an obstacle. We must learn to learn from each other.

Europe itself contains a wide diversity of nations, cultures, religions, minorities. Europe this is 48 states, 200 languages, several religious denominations Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews, even Buddhist, Latin, Germanic, Slavic, Ottoman traditions and others. Since 2004 a Semitic language, Maltese, is one of the official languages of the European Union. There has been always an interaction with our neighbours in the East and in the South. During the time of the Roman Empire the Mediterranean was called “mare nostrum” – our sea. The Arabs, who came to Spain and ruled the major part of the peninsula as “Al Andalus” brought a very valuable legacy back to Europe, the heritage of the great Greek philosophers.

In times of rising xenophobia and intolerance we have to recall the positive experiences with the wide diversity of nations, cultures and religions in Europe and the Mediterranean. I am convinced that it was exactly this diversity which helped to create a European cultural identity, to achieve so much in sciences and arts and finally to develop step by step also a European political identity. Council of Europe as well as the European Union are based on this new European political identity, are based on the concept of “Unity in Diversity”. And this very specific identity includes the obligation to share the achievements and to get friends with the neighbours.

Europe has learned to some extent, often after tragic historical experiences, to develop responses to today’s challenges based on a joint commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. I do not hesitate to admit that this is sometimes still not very easy and for sure not yet completed. In particular, certain events and developments, such as terrorist attacks but also the refugee wave, provide fertile ground for nurturing extremism, intolerance and racism which take hold insidiously, like an illness which is diagnosed only after its effects have become visible – i.e. too late. Therefore we have to speak out before in due time!

The responses, which we learned from this experience and which are increasingly elaborated together with civil society, build on universal values reflected in fundamental texts of the United Nations which are our common heritage.

So the European commitment to these global responses should include good neighbourhood and a real partnership with our neighbours in facing common challenges.

I mentioned already the title of Samuel P. Huntington’s book “The Clash of Civilisations” which is frequently quoted, but as I realised, very often by people who did not even read it. Time and again, I have repeated my own conviction that the current problems do not reflect a clash of civilisations but a clash of ignorance. I strongly believe that we can together afford bridging the understanding gap between Islamic nations and the so-called West. That is a prerequisite for starting our joint efforts to build a better world. Fundamentalism is not limited to one religion only. We should pay special attention to the danger of an increase of Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and simple xenophobia and fight fundamentalism and intolerance wherever we see it.

Of course, I did not claim that this diversity never poses problems. Problems do arise, such as incidents of Islamophobia, and issues concerning fundamental freedoms, equality between women and men, as well as failed integration of migrants. But it is my deep conviction that our societies are strong enough, our democratic system is strong enough to respond to these challenges, to solve these problems.

There are other pressing issues too.

Increased attention to unsolved conflicts may be deemed an important priority in the fight against terrorism. We should attach particular importance to the restoration of human rights and the rule of law that should in turn facilitate any political settlement in various conflict areas around the world.

The Iraq war is – as we can daily realize – not over. Syria is nearly totally destroyed by a war of everybody against everybody. Afghanistan is still day by day the source of bad news. Unfortunately I could continue this list with many other countries too, in particular in Africa.

As regards the Middle East, I would recall the steady support of Europe for the “road map” and that we see the return to the rule of law and the respect for the legal authorities of the Palestinians as part of the democratic and peaceful alternative to violence and terrorism. Fighting brought only suffering and no solution. There can be no military solution. Only reconciliation and mutual recognition will bring an end to this conflict.

What can we do in this sea of troubles beside keeping our optimism and sticking to our ideals?

We, our partners and neighbours and the Europeans, can jointly re-examine history teaching in order to overcome ignorance and prejudice.

In the same spirit, we should assess the way young people are made aware of religious diversity as a contribution to the intercultural and inter-religious dialogue as the alternative to the clash of ignorance. Education plays a key role in inculcating basic knowledge and promoting empathy about religious diversity as well as democratic practices. Let us engage in the development of standard curricula that should help teachers all over our globe to do precisely that. Becoming aware of the existence of other faiths and of their main features must become an indispensable part of any education in order to limit prejudice and hostility.

Religion and democracy have in common the goal of peace and the concept of recognition and respect for others. In today’s world it should mean all the others, without any further categories, distinctions or discriminations.

Let me stress another important aspect of this topic before I come to the end of my speech. We all are in favour of the dialogue of civilizations and the inter-faith dialogue. So usually at such conferences we are preaching to the already converted. But let me ask a question to you: who shall be the partners of this dialogue? The intergovernmental organisations and states that are organising such conferences and sending their representatives? The high authorities of the religious denominations, Muftis and Imams, Cardinals, Metropolitans and Chief Rabbis? Of course, I welcome their participation and their support for the intercultural and interreligious dialogue. But what will be essential for a success is the strong involvement of civil society and in particular of the youth. To coordinate civil society activities is a particular mandate given to me by the President of the World Public Forum – Dialogue of Civilizations, Vladimir Yakunin.

Let me repeat here what I was used to say frequently to my fellow Europeans: “The European project cannot be defined along narrowly construed cultural, religious, historic, geographic or even ethnic lines.

The project of political Europe is first and foremost based on values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, of mutual respect for equality and human dignity.” The same applies in a more and more globalized world to our common project of a better world.

I would like to see such an enlarged global project of shared values of democracy, tolerance, mutual understanding, human dignity and human rights and the rule of law, national and international law.

By concluding let me stress once again my conviction, that valuing diversity and linking diversity through a shared commitment to fundamental values are keys to stable societies, free of fear and free of terrorism.

The observation, the practice of these fundamental values are in the long run the best tools for safeguarding security. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights. Let us defend and protect freedom, equality, dignity and rights together.

Thank you for your attention.

Michael Spindelegger - Director General of the 
International Centre for Migration Policy Development 

Speech  :

Coping with the Migration Challenge: 

The Balance Between Internal and Foreign Policy

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Colleagues, Partners and Friends,

It is a great pleasure and honour for me to address you today as the newly elected Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD). This forum brings me back to 2000 when I was elected as representative of Austria to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and where I led the Austrian delegation from 2002 to 2006. In this period I represented Austria at conferences on migration issues. 

As Minister for European and International Affairs I worked closely with international organisations on asylum and migration issues while also negotiating and cooperating with many countries of origin and transit, always believing that negotiations and talks are the best way to solve many of the problems in these areas. 

In the course of my career I had to repeatedly balance the requirements of the two main policy fields - on the one hand the demands of domestic policy where elections are won and lost, on the other the challenges of international and foreign policy where solutions and compromises have to be found between states and partners which at times can be very different in their views and interests.

Today, Europe is confronted with an unprecedented challenge: the largest influx of refugees since the end of the Second World War. Regrettably, the enormous migratory pressure is interwoven with the increase in human smuggling and trafficking. The environment in which we operate has been additionally complicated by the heinous terrorist attacks in many countries including France and Turkey.

Today, most of our nations have similar challenges in their domestic political agenda and their migration policy. Politicians and states face anti-immigration propaganda, as well as growing fears among their citizens that the influx of migrants would cause

• financial burdens on national and local budgets;
• additional burdens on the national health care ,social and school systems
• and a growing menace of terrorism.

These concerns have to be taken very seriously. But they cannot be addressed by a simple closing of borders. 

The countries faced with these challenges are either MSs of the EU, members of the CoE, or members of the UN and signatories of important international documents like the 1951 Refugee Convention, the European Convention on Human Rights, the UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights, the Schengen Convention, the Dublin Convention or the Palermo Protocols to fight trafficking of persons and smuggling of migrants, to name only a few.

All these agreements entail international and national obligations. ICMPD’s work can contribute to reconciling the political and practical responses to the concerns of the respective national citizens/voters with the obligations of each of their countries pursuant to their membership to the EU, Council of Europe or the UN or simply because they have acceded to legally binding international documents in the area of migration, asylum or combatting THB.

In this very complex setting, together with our colleagues from the CoE, EC, the agencies of the UN and others, we are ready to assist the countries regulating and managing their respective policy. 

National governments are currently undertaking tremendous efforts in order to find answers to the day to day challenges. In this context, Europe has to urgently develop and implement policies such as:

• Slowing down the migrant stream, regaining control of movements and regulating entry to their territories;
• Preventing and fighting irregular migration, smuggling and trafficking in human beings;
• Exchanging information and intelligence on criminal networks involved in the above illegal activities;
• Improving and reforming asylum systems , thus making international protection work more effective in Europe and in the regions neighbouring conflict zones;
• Enabling and implementing effective returns and readmissions of those who do not have the right to stay (without effective return mechanisms European governments will lose the trust of their citizens, and will not be able to provide protection to those in need);

• Consolidating the groundwork for reintegration in the countries of origin
• Assisting a quicker and more effective integration for those who stay legally in the recipient countries, including in their labour markets
• Establishing a robust monitoring system that registers the progress or regress in the implementation of our policies

In this process ICMPD is ready to facilitate all initiatives towards common policy approaches within and between the countries of destination,transit and origin, helping them balance their respective shares of the common burden of solidarity and responsibility.

We can help countries in the development and implementation of a new migration agenda on which the evolving common approach of the EU, the UN and other international and national agencies will be based . 

Our functionas Secretariat for several migration dialogues connecting Europe, its Eastern Neighbours and Asia like the Budapest Process and the Prague Process; or Europe, 

Africa and/or the Middle East like the MTM Dialogue, the Rabat Process and EUROMED can be of crucial value at this very moment.

We want to play that ambitious role based on our solid track record of multi-faceted activities.

We have implemented numerous capacity building projects from border management, through return implementation to integration along the so called „Eastern Mediterranean route“. We have assisted Turkey in setting up its new migration authority and continue our fruitful cooperation with the Turkish government in that area. For ten years now we have been present in Lebanon. 

We have established close working relationships with partners in Jordan. We have been engaged in the preparation and update of the background expertise that underpins the ongoing Mediterranean regional dialogue on migration matters.

We have long-standing experience in training our member and partner country institutions in the respect of the international standards for human rights in the combat of THBs .

ICMPD anti-trafficking team has been closely working with the Secretariat of the Group of Experts on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (GRETA) since its establishment.  

We have recently developed a project proposal with the Greta Secretariat aiming at strengthening transnational cooperation in combating trafficking in human beings according to the principles set out in the Council of Europe Convention.

We have devised and carried out numerous training programs for officials tasked to effect returns along routes as long and complex as those, say, between Macedonia and Pakistan.

We have assisted governments in the development and implementation of measures aimed at integrating legal migrants or recognized refugees in countries of destination. Let’s be realistic, many of those who have come to Europe fleeing war and conflict will stay here permanently. 

We have to our utmost to turn the immense challenges we are faced with into opportunities: we have to make these people fit for our economies and labour markets; and we have to ensure social and cultural integration to ensure cohesion in our societies for our own populations and for those who had to flee from war and persecution.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The challenges ahead will be multiple and long lasting. However, ICMPD is a confident factor that will competently contribute to address and tackle the current crisis, learn from it and make Europe and the whole international system emerge even stronger than before. ICMPD’s ambition will be to play an even stronger role as:

1.a leading mediation platform for migration issues between all states linked by migratory routes and

2. a think tank to search and provide solutions for the current and future migration issues and continue pursuing its current mission vigorously.

The  Second Speech of President of Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe Mr. Pedro Agramunt

- at the opening of the Third Session of the Conference

 Dear colleagues,

Ladies and gentlemen,

As we have seen earlier today in our debates, the numerous political challenges Europe is facing, both within and around its borders, call for a common response on the basis of shared principles and values, dialogue, trust and solidarity. Our Organization and our member States should focus on what unites them rather than what divides them, and avoid raising new walls and drawing dividing lines.

Our today’s conference gives us a possibility to reflect about the different elements that could contribute to implementing the idea of a Council of Europe Summit on Democratic Security.To launch a discussion, allow me to highlight three elements.

·         Firstly, let us put the idea of a new Summit in a historic perspective.

The Council of Europe has held 3 Summits so far – in 1993 in Vienna, in 1997 in Strasbourg, and in 2005 in Warsaw. The 1993 Vienna Summit embodied the Council of Europe’s geographic expansion to the East. The 1997 Strasbourg Summit symbolized the consolidation of democracy in our new member states which were undergoing the process of democratic transformation.

The 2005 Warsaw Summit was the “Summit of European Unity” – all European states (with the exception of Belarus) were finally reunited under one roof on the basis of shared values and common objectives.The idea for a Council of Europe Summit devoted to Democratic security was launched by the Secretary General of the Council of Europe in 2014.The key priority of our member states and of the Council of Europe for the years to come must be to focus on the implementation of our standards at national level.

It is first and foremost the responsibility of the member states themselves. If we fail to guarantee the respect of our standards at domestic level, there is a risk that our unique Pan-European Convention system may collapse. Ideological, ethnic, territorial, and religious issues posed by minorities put at risk the democratic security of member states.

In addition to these localized conflicts, there is the ubiquitous threat of jihadist terrorism.

In the midst of this turmoil and tension, in new and demanding situations, the Council of Europe should seek to find innovative responses on the basis of its enduring principles.

Democratic security means deeper reforms at domestic level so as to address possible shortcomings, and deeper co-operation within the Council of Europe framework, so as to use fully the expertise that our Organisation can offer. We have to make our societies more inclusive, better integrated, more tolerant, and, therefore, more secure.

·         Secondly, in today’s interdependent world, we have to stay united in the face of the many challenges we are confronted with.

 Europe will be lost, if it stays divided. Europe will not be able to be a strong and successful global player unless it acts in unity and focusing on its strengths.

Supporting and promoting good neighbourly relations is one of the priorities of my mandate as President of the Assembly. I am convinced that, on the basis of our history and past experience, we should and can achieve broader reconciliation in Europe. The Council of Europe brings together all states of Europe and offers diplomatic, parliamentary and juridical mechanisms which can contribute to creating common ground between states in dispute. However, that may not be enough as exemplified by still outstanding conflicts, in some cases after many years. The current Council of Europe's political mandate was defined by the third Summit of Heads of State in Warsaw.  Although we have no political mandate to resolve conflicts, we play an important role in conflict-prevention. As we saw this morning, democracies do not wage wars on each other. This is the essence of Democratic Security.

The Assembly is a forum in which mechanisms of review, monitoring, and peer pressure not always function with mutual acceptance by all concerned.

In the light of recent events across Europe, our Organisation could have done better if it had assumed a new leading negotiating role as well.

As I said in my inaugural speech at the Parliamentary Assembly, all of us must shoulder our responsibilities, be ready for dialogue, and seek solutions together. Dialogue is a two-way process or, rather should I say “an all-inclusive process”. Moreover, we should not forget that we do not live in isolation: stability on our external borders is as important as internal stability is.

We have to provide support to our neighbors in building stronger, more democratic and more pluralist societies, based on the respect for fundamental rights and freedoms, tolerance and non-discrimination.

As President of the Assembly I intend to work closely with our new Partners for Democracy in order to help them maximize the benefits of the partnership.

·         Thirdly, genuine European unity can never be achieved without co-operation and synergies between all actors and, in particular, international partners.

The European Union, with its 28 members, all member states of the Council of Europe, is of course our key ally and strategic partner.We share the same values, the same political objectives and the same standards. We must work together to complement our respective actions; create new synergies, without competition or rivalry.

Dear colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Having made these introductory remarks, I am looking forward to hearing the contributions of other members of the Assembly and national parliamentarians. The decision to convene the Summit – and the identification of the appropriate moment for this – belongs to the Heads of States and Governments of our Member states. As Parliamentarians we support this idea and we are ready to contribute to the preparations of this important event for our Organization.

Our Committee of Political Affairs has been seized for a report on the issue of a Council of Europe Summit to defend and promote democratic security in Europe. Therefore, our debates today will provide useful food for thought in order to take this work forward.

                I thank you very much for your attention.

The Speech of Latchezar Toshev

Honorary Associate of PACE

Check against delivery!

The follow up of the Sofia Declaration of PACE

Mr. President of the Assembly,

Madam Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Madam Chairperson of the Bulgarian delegation

Distinguished Chairpersons of the Committees of Foreign affairs,

Thank you indeed for the opportunity to participate in this Conference in a personal capacity as a former member of the Assembly, currently enjoying the status of Honorary associate.

I will start by expressing my highest appreciation of the presence of you all here, gathered to discuss the situation and our common problems which we face during this very challenging time for the whole Europe.

Dialogue such as our Conference today, aimed to consolidate the position of European states toward the arising problems of our times was and is badly needed.

The Dialogue - by definition, is a tool for building a community, through spar of different opinions in order to seek a solution that is good for all. And this is how we can reinforce European Unity and Co-operation. We speak here today about the Democratic Security and how to combat together the international terrorism, while protecting at the same time the Council of Europe standards and values.

We are witnessing that the current tremendous wave of migration is still far from over. The forecast is that about one million refugees are expected to come to Europe during this year.If we are to comply with the UN Convention for Refugees, after the conflict in Syria is over, those who enjoys the asylum status will have to be returned back to their homeland. I would like to remind you, that this was exactly the case with crisis in Kosovo from 2001. At that time the refugees were initially settled in purposely built refugee camps near the border.

Very shortly after the end of the conflict, they returned back to Kosovo.

The current situation however is entirely different. The Refugees are already far from the area of conflict and a large number of them – about 60%, are not even seeking asylum status. One of the most appropriate solutions is to support the establishment of such camps in Turkey, which will ease the return of the refugees after the end of the conflict. But this requires significant financial, material and also timely aid to be given for the implementation of such policy.

The second largest inflow of refugees into Europe comes from the South Mediterranean. The situation there certainly is not easier to resolve than the Syrian case. It might even deteriorate further if proper and immediate actions are not taken.

Among the difficulties in achieving a common position on this wave of migrants and the pursuit of a common European policy – not only by the EU, but also by the non-EU European states is the mistrust created by the unfortunate acts of violation of International law in several cases. I would list here the aggression against Georgia in 2008, the illegal Annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014, the military conflict in Donbas and the difficulties in implementation of second Minsk-agreement, as well as the unilaterally undertaken acts of Russia in Syria.

Recent tensions between Russia and Turkey had fueled additionally this negative development too. I would like also to point here other current treats such as the uncertainty arising from the financial crisis Europe had suffered, as well as the sense of relative decline; distorted by perceptions of large-scale immigration and a clear leadership deficit in shaping Europe’s present and future.The year 2015 started and ended with cruel terrorist acts that stress the need for joint actions against terrorism – by real deeds, not by words alone. What should be mentioned here in this respect is the fact that the perpetrators of the most atrocious terrorist acts in France of the past year were persons who were all native of Europe – going back as a third generation. This fact was already fairly pointed out by the Deputy Secretary general of the Council of Europe in here presentation earlier today.That is why I wish to touch upon the problem of emergence of parallel societies in Europe with values, different from that of mainstream, which can sooner or later endanger the rights and safety of the all other people and can definitely affect the Democratic security.

In 2011 after long and tough clashes in the Chamber, the Assembly has adopted its Recommendation to the Committee of Ministers called Living Together in 21st Century.

I had the privilege and the responsibility to be the Rapporteur on this issue.

We proposed that the Governments of the member states implement the concept of Inter-cultural approach dealing with such problems in order to avoid or eliminate the possibilities for creation of parallel groups, isolated form the mainstream and in general the failure of integration. Unlike with the Multi-cultural model which lays out opportunities and leaves the people on their own (which most often results in the newcomers missing out on such opportunities due to lack of awareness, language barriers etc.), the Inter-cultural approach implies an active interaction of the culturally different groups in the society in order to develop the best approach to living together.

When obviously the laws and conditions are not enough for the real integration of newcomers and other marginalized groups, what should be done? Is there other option?

Those people who are coming or have come some time ago lawfully to live in a country should not be expected to leave elements of their identity – faith, language and culture – behind.

However, they are expected to show willingness to integrate into their new country’s society not only by learning its language, but through gaining knowledge and understanding the local culture, and they must respect democracy, human rights – including the rights of women – and the rule of law.

This means the model of European society should be improved in order not to allow the formation of parallel societies.

In October 2015 the Assembly returned back to this issue by reaffirming its position of 2011 – this time without any sharp disagreements between the people of different views, but with almost unanimity of the positions.

Now is turn of the Governments to act and to apply measures to change the current European model into Inter-cultural one as proposed by Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

I would strongly advocate converting the current European “Multi-culti” model into this new pro-active Inter-cultural approach, which no doubt would contribute significantly to our common Democratic Security.

We have a common interest to achieve a real Democratic security in Europe which we have to defend together.

Without it, neither Social security nor Economic security and prosperity can be achieved. The goals we pursue can be achieved only through Dialogue, Understanding and Mutual Acceptance. The willingness to solve the current problems together is a sign for a clear devotion to the vision of a shared future which on turn is the core value of European Unity and Co-operation.

Europe without dividing lines was a policy of the Council of Europe in the course of its enlargement. Now the newly-elected President of the Assembly Mr. Agramunt has an ambition to give a new impetus to this goal.

I dare to believe that for all of you present today, the Unification of Europe was the greatest achievement of our civilization.

It changed our continent and brought peace and prosperity for the European people and Co-operation and mutual understanding and respect between all Europeans. The message which Bulgaria has given to you all - as a slogan of its Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe is “Unity makes strength!”

It explains all!

It is the silver-line crossing through all of our initiatives during the Bulgarian Presidency.

Our attempt was, is and with no any doubt will be, to consolidate European states into a common position on the serious problems which Europe is facing today.

Sofia-declaration of 27 of November last year was the first step.

It was supported by the all Leaders of the Political Factions of the Assembly and in fact it was unanimously adopted. During the January – part – session, Dr. Dzhema Grozdanova initiated a Motion for Recommendation to the Committee of Ministers in the same Direction calling for Fourth Council of Europe Summit of Heads of state and Government. Now there will be a Report by the Committee of Political Affairs and Democracy and then in Chamber and the Members of Parliament's voice will be heard.

In this way we believe at highest possible level will be able to reinforce European Unity and Co-operation in order to take appropriate common measures achieving Democratic Security for our citizens.

Then will a turn of Governments to act.

The Committee of Ministers have to assembly the Fourth Council of Europe Summit dedicated to democratic security and reinforcement if the European unity and Co-operation.

Please ask your Ministers to support actively this Forum.

The European people expect such a decision for consolidation around our values and principles as a response of the current problems to be taken by their Governments.

 

New Director General visits ICMPD member state Bulgaria

11. February 2016 

During his visit to Bulgaria, ICMPD's Director General Michael Spindelegger met with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and spoke at the parliament.

Bulgaria’s Prime Minister and the ICMPD Director General discussed the current migration crisis and the need for multilateral dialogue as a basis for coherent responses during their bilateral meeting on 9 February. Prime Minister Borisov expressed his appreciation of the level of cooperation between Bulgaria and ICMPD and acknowledged the potential for further deepening this relationship.

Mr Michael Spindelegger presented his plans to strengthen ICMPD’s capacities to act as a platform for dialogue and mediation on migration – a forum for discussion, listening to everyone’s concerns and proposing solutions. Furthermore he will strengthen ICMPD’s work as a think tank that provides independent research.

ICMPD Director General also visited the Bulgarian Parliament.

 As a panelist at the Conference of the Chairpersons of the Parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committees of the Council of Europe Member States, he spoke about the need to keep the right balance between internal and foreign policy as a way to cope with the current migration challenges in Europe.

Bulgaria is a member state of ICMPD and joined the organisation in 2003.

Amongst others, ICMPD has supported Bulgaria in the area of legal migration and the fight against trafficking in human beings.